@Joseph Belgrad - credit inquires have a very minimal effect on your score (according to myfico it makes up less than 10% of the score) and that small amount is more than offset by having a proven history of paying XX amount of mortgages on time each and every month.My credit is being pulled routinely and I have not seen a negative impact on my score.

Another saver would be making sure you have minimized construction time- tub surround vs tile etc. 

The tax advantages with real estate are built in, and W2 income is minimized in saving on social security and Medicare taxes from not making rental income W2 income, according to my CPA.

So, I'm wondering if my recent credit issues will minimize my chances for an approval?

On the other hand, making value-add improvements like minimal exterior and interior changes to a Class B are relatively inexpensive.The modest returns of a Class A property with single-digit to low-teen internal rate of return (IRR) just isn’t enough when compared to the high-teen IRR results obtained when value-add is completed on Class B and C properties.

My overall cost will be minimal, so even if it doesn't force a ton of appreciation that's ok. 

My $0.01:  Start now by running your personal finance like a business - build a system to watch every expense with minimal effort. 

I am listening to the messages from BP sources and want to start with a small victory of a SFR rental out of state requiring minimal work to get it rented.  

We love it and want to jump on it, but the numbers are not the typical ones I see.Price: 250k (we live in rural Indiana)Units: 2 (1000 SF each) 2 B 2 BALarge lawn, built in 2004, no capex costs for atleast 5 years hopefully (roof has 10 yrs left, HVAC maybe 5)Tenants do all the yard work.Rent is at 850 for both sidesMy question...This is more expensive than I would have liked, but this place is so clean, maintenance is minimal, and there are 2 lifelong single lady tenants in there now, is this a good deal, even if my CoC return is so low?

If I can keep buying property for minimal down and use it as my personal property for a year then rent it out and repeat, I am thinking it could be a great way to build up a decent portfolio...